The United States supports the Syrian people's desire for democracy,
human rights, and freedom of expression. Syrians deserve a government
whose legitimacy is grounded in the consent of the people, not brute
force.

The Syrian regime should immediately free all political prisoners,
including Aref Dalila, Michel Kilo, Anwar al-Bunni, Mahmoud Issa, and
Kamal Labwani. I am deeply troubled by reports that some ailing
political prisoners are denied health care while others are held in
cells with violent criminals.

Syria should disclose the fate and whereabouts of the many missing
Lebanese citizens who "disappeared" following their arrest in Lebanon
during the decades of Syrian military occupation. The Syrian regime
should also cease its efforts to undermine Lebanese sovereignty by
denying the Lebanese people their right to participate in the democratic
process free of foreign intimidation and interference.

The people of Syria hope for a prosperous future with greater
opportunities for their children, and for a government that fights
corruption, respects the rule of law, guarantees the rights of all
Syrians, and works toward achieving peace in the region.